Crossing the border with Blue Jays beat reporter Jordan Bastian.

Jays @ Reds

It’s spitting rain here at Ed Smith Stadium, but not really enough to call this game I wouldn’t think. Then again, I’m not a weatherman. I’m hoping it goes on as planned, because I’m looking forward to seeing if Ricky Romero can really pull himself back into the hunt for a rotation job.

Manager Cito Gaston still wouldn’t say whether Matt Clement would be gretting another start, but he didn’t sound confident that was going to happen. Gaston keeps noting that the Jays are reaching the point where the innings need to go to the guys who might be heading north, and I’d find it hard to believe Clement is still in the mix.

So, we’re still left with Scott Richmond, Brad Mills and Ricky Romero. Gaston said that there is no hesitation on Toronto’s part to hand a job to Mills due to the fact that he has no career innings at Triple-A. That doesn’t mean Mills has a job, just that his lack of AAA innings isn’t going to be an obstacle.

Gaston did say that, in the event that three lefties (David Purcey, Mills and Romero) wind up in the rotation come Opening Day, Jesse Litsch might be moved into the No. 3 hole to break up all the left-handers. Gaston said, if that happened, he’d be sure to talk with Litsch to assure him that it wasn’t a demotion at all.

Marco Scutaro has returned to the Jays and Gaston said he’ll be in the lineup tomorrow. Same for Travis Snider, who didn’t make the trip to Sarasota today as originally planned. Snider is coming back from a sore left knee and Gaston said he was playing in a Minor League game as a DH back in Dunedin today.

What I liked from Romero today was this: all 7 hits he gave up were singles, thats a plus, he threw something like 14 of 19 first pitch strikes, so he got ahead in the count, and even though he got into trouble on occasion, he battled through it and the damage was almost non-existant. Very impressive

If it were up to me the rotation would have both Mills and Romero. Richmond seams more valuable as a long reliever with our inexpienced rotation exspecially with Janssen out to start the season. So whats everyones bet for the front 5? heres mine. Halladay, Purcey, Litsch, Mills, Romero.

As much as I like the guys you chose 92blue, I still get the feeling these guys like Richmond as a starter. I expect unless Richmond blows up in his next start, we’ll see Halliday, Litsch, Purcey, Richmond and as of today-Romero, with Mills going to AA.

gjays that could very well be. if that is the case then I would expect RIchmond to just be keeping the spot warm until Mills or Cecil are ready likely by May/June. Do you think that Romero has passed Mills for the 5th spot because Cito seams pretty high on Mills?

I think it’s very much up for grabs though, particularly for the 5th spot. Whomever pitches best next between Richmond and Romero may very well get the job. I think the 4th spot is Mills to lose.

Who knows though. It’s making for an entertaining Spring at least.

Looks like Barrett is inching toward the backup Catcher’s job, and that Inglett and Lane will be the odd men out for the utility player jobs, though I suspect we’ll see them both with the Jays this year, due to injuries and possibly trades.

92blue
I tend to agree Richmond will like get replaced in mid May by Cecil or Mills assuming Romero comes north. As good as Mills as pitched, he has only pitched a grand total of 165 innings as a pro over two seasons.
Romero has better stuff, Mills is more deceptive in his delivery and probably stronger mentally,but my guess-and its only a guess, if they perform equally, Romero comes north as a result of more experience.
A lot also depends on when the decision is made. If it’s made tonight, as suggested on Jp’s twitter, then it could be Romero and Mills, since Richmond didn’t look as good as either in his last start. If they wait for Richmond’s next start and he performs well, then I’d say Richmond and Romero as of today.
Romero brought his A game today in a high pressure situation, ya gotta like that.
Rene is right, it’s been an entertaining spring training as a result, and one way or the other, we now know we have 4 quality lefty starters in Purcey, Mills, Cecil and Romero. That, is a treasure for sure.
I must admit, I like the idea of throwing 3 lefties at either NY or Boston, they always seem to do poorly against them.

Nice to see Romero coming along.Too bad about Clement,I was pulling for him and it looked promising.However, in the Al East,you can’t give up too many free passes.Anyone can have a bad day,but this is crunch time.If 09 is the bridge to 2010,then I say let the kids play.Richmond would be the logical choice for long man now that Casey is behind.How did Snider do in the minor league game today?

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